The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-12-08
GENUINE HESoism.
An Ancedose which Cont.sns = Moral for
the Young and the Old.

A
1 shall never forget lesson / re-
ceived when ut school at A. We saw a
boy named Watson driving a COW to
pasture. In the evening he drove her
back again, We did not know where.
and this was continued several weeks.
The boys attending school were nearly
all sons of wealthy parents. and some
OF them were ounces enough to look
! with disdain on scholar who had to
drive COW.
With admirable good nature Watson
bore all their attempts to annoy him.
Il suppose, Watson," said jackson.
another boy. one day suppose your
father intends to make a milkman OF
your
why not?" asked Watson.
80. nothing. Only don't leave much
water in the cans after you rinse them
that's ALL
The boys laughed and Watson. not
in the least mortified. replied: Never
fear; if ever am a milkman. I'll give
good measure and good milk"
The day after this conversation there
was a public examination, at which
ladies and gentlemen from the neigh
boring town were present and prizes
were awarded by the principal of our
school, and both Watson and jackson
received a Creditable number. for in
respect to scholarship they were about
equal. After the ceremony Of distri-
button, the principal remarked that
there was one prize. consisting of a
gold medal. which was rarely awarded.
not so much on account of its great
cost, as because the instances were rare
which rendered its bestowal proper.
1t was the prize of heroism. The last
medal was awarded about three years
ago to a boy in the first class, who
rescued poor girl from drowning.
The principal then said that, with
the permission of the company, he
would relate a short anecdote.
Not long since. some boys were fly
ing Il kite in the street, just as poor
lad on horseback rode by on his way to
the mill. The horse took fright and
threw the boy, injuring him so badly
that he was carried home and confined
some weeks to his bed OF the boys
who had unintentionally caused the
disaster, none followed to learn the
fate of the wounded lad. There was
one boy, however, who witnessed the
accident from distance, who not only
went to make inquiries, but stayed to
render service.
1.-The boys soon learned that the
wounded boy was the grandson of
poor widow, whose sole support con-
sisted in selling the milk of Il cow, of
which she was the owner She was old
and lame, and her grandson, on whom
she depended to drive her COW to the
pasture, was now helpless with his
bruises. Never mind, good woman
said the boy; 4 will drive the cow
But his kindness did not stop there.
Money was wanted to get articles from
the apothecary. i have money that
my mother sent me to buy pair of
boots with, said he. but l can do with
out them for awhile o, no. said the
old woman, i can't consent to that;
but here is a Pair of heavy boots that 1
bought for Thomas. who can't wear
them. If you would only buy these,
we should get on nicely" The boy
bought the boots, clumsy as they were,
and has worn them up to this time.
''Well. when it was discovered by the
other boys at the school that our scholar
was in the habit of driving a cow. he
was assaulted every day with laughter
and ridicule. His cowhide boots in
particular were made matter of mirth.
But he kept on cheerfully and bravcly,
day after day. never stunning observa-
ton, driving the widows cow and
wearing his thick boots.
He never explained why he drove
the COW, for hewas not inclined to make
Il boast of his charitable motives. 1t
was by mere accident that his kindness
and self-denial were discovered by his
teacher.
'And now, ladies and gentlemen. I
ask you-was there not true heroism in
the boys conduct? Nay. Master Wat
son, do not get out of sight behind the
You were not afraid of
YOU must not be afraid of
praise"
AS Watson, with blushing cheeks.
came forward, round of applause
spoke the general appreciation, and the
medal was presented to him amid thu
Ulcers of the audience. Cbildren's
Olcu.